Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)
Harder to find

Hen of the Woods

Grifola frondosa

Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) is a mushroom that is harder to find in Tennessee. Say it: grif-oh-luh fron-doh-suh.

How to know it

  • Has: Many grey-brown caps
  • Has: Pores underneath
  • Does not have: No gills

Often grows back at the same oak every year

Choice edible

Never eat a wild mushroom without an expert

Where and when

Old oak trees statewide
Fruits
Fruits: September, October, November

Where to look

  • Grows on The base of living oaks
  • Trees Oaks
  • Conditions Cool fall rains

Watch

Video coming soon. Hen of the Woods appears in our Mushrooms of Tennessee on YouTube.

Also out in October

See all mushrooms of Tennessee →

More photos

Never eat a wild mushroom unless an expert has identified it in person. This page is for learning, not a guide to eating.

Top photo: iNaturalist contributor (CC0) · source. Think something here is wrong? Tell us.